What is the purpose of an exposure hierarchy in cognitive-behavioral techniques?

The purpose of an exposure hierarchy in cognitive-behavioral techniques is to rank fears by their anxiety level for gradual facing. This process involves creating a structured list of feared situations or stimuli, arranged from those that provoke the least anxiety to those that provoke the most. By doing this, individuals can systematically confront their fears in a controlled and manageable way. Starting with less threatening situations allows for the development of coping strategies, which can then be applied to more anxiety-provoking situations over time. This gradual exposure helps to desensitize the individual to their fears, reducing overall anxiety and leading to improved functioning. The method emphasizes facing fears in a safe environment while building confidence and resilience through each step of the exposure process.